Behavioral Counseling
Understanding the Mannerisms of your Pet
A well-behaved pet is essential to a lasting bond between the pet and its owner. Behavioral counseling is offered to clients whose pets are anxious through a change in behavior. Simple adjustments can be made to reduce anxiety. Let’s determine what can be done to improve inappropriate behaviors in your pet. If you are having trouble with your pet's behavior, let us help to improve that bond and understand what the problem your pet is having. We also seek advice from behaviorists when needed.
Dr. Teresa Klatt works with each pet individually.
Separation Anxiety
How to help with your pet’s separation anxiety
If your pet seems to worry when you're heading out, destroys stuff when you leave the house, follows you from room to room when you're home, goes berserk when you come back and seems to be eyeing you suspiciously even before you leave—you may be dealing with a case of separation anxiety.
Pets with separation anxiety exhibit distress and behavior problems when they're left alone. Some of the most common ways:
Digging and scratching at doors or windows attempting to reunite with their owners
Destructive chewing
Howling and whining
Urination and defecation (even with otherwise house-trained pets)
What causes separation anxiety
It's not fully understood why some pets suffer from separation anxiety and others don't. But remember, your pet’s behaviors are part of a panic response. Your pet isn't trying to punish you! They just want you to come home!
These are some of the scenarios that can trigger separation anxiety:
Being left alone for the first time.
Being left alone when accustomed to constant human contact.
Suffering a traumatic event, such as time at a shelter or boarding kennel.
Change in the family's routine or structure, or the loss of a family member or other pet.
How to treat minor separation anxiety
Don't make a big deal out of arrivals and departures — ignore your pet for the first few minutes then calmly pet them.
Leave your pet with recently worn clothes that smell like you.
Establish a word or action that you use every time you leave that tells your pet you'll be back.
Consider using an over-the-counter calming product that reduces fearfulness in your pets.